Small arms cartridge



J. J. SCANLON, JR., H L 3,396,658

SMALL ARMS CARTRIDGE Filed June 2, 1966 I. I I. I4 26 l6 l2 INVENTOR$JOHN J. SCANLDN, JR. JOSEPH B. QUINLAN ATTORNEYS= United States Patent3,396,658 SMALL ARMS CARTRIDGE John J. Scanlon, Jr., Burlington, N.J.,and Joseph B.

Quinlan, Philadelphia, Pa., assiguors to the United States'of America asrepresented by the Secretary of the Army Filed June 2, 1966, Ser. No.554,901 6 Claims. (Cl. l0238) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A small armscaseless cartridge for use with a conventional rifle and having anobturator secured to the rearward end of a molded propellant charge. Afiring pin is seated in a cavity of the obturator and its forwardsurface portion is sealed and retained therein by an elastomeric plug,having a forwardly reduced tapering surface by which the sealed firingpin is longitudinally spaced from the primer mix. The obturator islikewise formed of elastomeric material, such as neoprene, and arelatively lighter weight round of ammunition is provided for use in astandard weapon having repetitive firing without the need of apreliminary step in frictionally securing an obturating cup to a boltface.

This invention relates to a small arms cartridge and more particularlyto a caseless small arms cartridge capable of being fired fromconventional rifles.

Briefly, this invention provides a stub obturated caseless round havingthe same caliber as a standard cased cartridge, and therefore permittingits firing from a conventional rifle. By practicing our invention,advantages of caseless ammunition can be enjoyed without having toresort to'special rifles.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a caselesssmall arms cartridge capable of being fired from a conventional rifle.

Another object is the provision of a small arms cartridge which has astub obturated caseless charge.

A further object is to provide a stub obturated caseless small armscartridge that can be fired interchangeably with conventional casedammunition from a conventional rifle.

The above objects as well as others together with the benefits and theadvantages of the invention will be apparent upon reference to thedetailed description set forth below, particularly when taken inconjunction with the annexed drawing illustrating a transverse sectionof an embodiment of our invention wherein is shown a small armscartridge 10 comprising an open ended hollow cy-:

lindrical molded propellant charge 12 in place of the conventional case.Secured to the forward end of charge 12 is a projectile 14 while in therearward end is disposed a primer plug 16. Contained in cavity 18 ofprimer plug. I

3,396,658 Patented Aug. 13, 1968 elastomeric material, e.g., neoprene ora light weight metal or metal alloy and resembles the base of a conventional metal case insofar as it contains an extraction groove, andthat its walls can expand under chamber pressure and obturate. Unlikethe base of a metallic case, obturator 22 contains no primer pocket,vent, or primer.

In operation, the firing pin (not shown) in the bolt of a conventionalrifle (not shown) strikes base 28 of cartridge 10 to push firing pin 24forward and thus piercing a plug insert 26 to actuate primer mix 20 andigniting primer plug 16. This in turn ignites propellant charge 12 andthe pressure from gases formed upon ignition of charge 12 expandsobturator 22 against the chamber Wall (not shown). The rifle bolt face(not shown) prevents the obturator from moving rearward. At muzzle exit,the extractor (not shown) on the bolt (not shown) removes obturator 22in a conventional manner.

The advantages of the use of the stub obturated caseless roundaforedescribed are, among others, that a 30-35% savings in weightresults, a higher velocity of projectile 14 can be achieved due toincreased propellant charge, and no erosion of the firing pin can occurbecause it is self-contained and therefore protected substantiallyagainst contact with hot gases.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teach ings. It is therefore to beunderstood, that within the scope of the appendent claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

We claim:

1. A small arms caseless cartridge capable of use with conventionalrifles comprising,

an open ended hollow cylindrical molded propellant charge,

a projectile secured to a forward end of said charge,

a primer plug secured to a rearward end of said charge,

an obturator secured to the rearward end of said charge abutting saidprimer plug,

a firing pin having a. rearward face seated in a cavity of saidobturator, said pin having a forward face, and

means including an elastomeric plug covering said pin forward face andretaining said firing pin in said obturator cavity rearward of saidprimer plug.

2. A cartridge of the type described in claim 1 wherein said primer plugis provided with a cavity having a primer mix contained therein.

3. A cartridge of the type described in claim 1 wherein said obturatoris constructed of an elastomeric material.

4. A cartridge of the type described in claim 3 wherein said elastomericmaterial is neoprene.

5. A cartridge of the type described in claim 1 wherein said obturatoris made of a metal selected from the group consisting of a light weightmetal and metal alloy.

6. The structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said elastomericplug has a forwardly reduced tapering surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT F. STAHL, PrimaryExaminer.

